Russell was twice selected for the Pro Bowl when with the Oakland Raiders, but he has had legal troubles and a drug suspension.

Russell met Redskins players and coaches at the team's training facility in Ashburn, and it appeared possible that the two sides could complete a contract agreement soon.

"They have to work out the numbers,'' said Redskins defensive end Regan Upshaw, who was Russell's teammate with the Oakland Raiders and spoke to him today.

Russell was accompanied by family members and his new agent, Gary Wichard. Russell met Tuesday night in Chicago with Redskins owner Daniel Snyder -- who is attending an NFL owners' meeting there -- after being picked up in Snyder's private jet. Vinny Cerrato, the Redskins' vice president of football operations, rode on the plane to pick up Russell and his entourage in Los Angeles and accompanied them to Chicago and then back to the D.C. area.

The Redskins have been the most aggressive of the teams interested in Russell, who was released by the Raiders on Monday after being reinstated by the NFL from a suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He reportedly tested positive for Ecstasy.

Separately, he was charged with 25 felony counts stemming from a January 2002 incident in which he allegedly videotaped a woman being raped by two of his friends. But prosecutors, citing a lack of evidence, dropped all the charges in September 2002. Russell also was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, reportedly just after leaving a legal brothel in Nevada, while on suspension from the NFL and awaiting his rape trial.

Russell, 27, became an unrestricted free agent when he cleared waivers Tuesday. No team wanted to claim him and be responsible for a prorated portion of the $10 million salary that he was to have this season under the terms of his contract with the Raiders.